Residents of Bori, the headquarters of Khana Local Council of Rivers State, were thrown into panic on Sunday evening after unidentified gunmen shot a former Chief Security Officer of the council, Mr Letam Kine.

Kine was reportedly attacked at about 6:00 p.m. along Polytechnic Road, Bori, forcing residents, motorists and passers-by to flee for safety.

An eyewitness said the gunmen opened fire on Kine before fleeing immediately after the attack.

The incident caused panic in the area, with shop owners hurriedly closing their businesses as security operatives later arrived at the scene.

The motive for the killing was unknown as of press time, while the identities of the attackers had yet to be established.

Reacting to the incident, the Chairman of Khana Local Council, Dr Thomas Bariere, condemned the killing, describing it as a “senseless act of violence.”

In a statement issued by his Director of Press and Public Communications, Neemana, Bariere described Kine’s death as heartbreaking and said such criminality had no place in a law-abiding society.

He expressed concern that the killing occurred only weeks after the death of Mr Clement Deegbara of Kpong Community, suggesting that the incidents could indicate the activities of armed criminal gangs determined to undermine peace in the area.

Bariere called on security agencies to intensify operations across Khana and ensure that those responsible were arrested and prosecuted.

He also appealed to residents to remain calm and vigilant by providing security agencies with credible and timely information to aid investigations.

The council chairman extended his condolences to the deceased’s family and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to protecting lives and property.

The Rivers State Police Command confirmed that investigations had commenced to identify and apprehend those responsible.

The command’s spokesperson, ASP Grace Iringe-Koko, said the deceased’s body had been deposited in a mortuary for preservation and autopsy.

She added that the family had yet to lodge a formal complaint and urged them to do so to facilitate investigations and the administration of justice.

She assured residents that the command remained committed to bringing all those connected with the killing to justice.